WINNIPEG – Over 50 soldiers and rangers who were helping with COVID-19 in northern Manitoba have returned to their bases.

Chief Eric Redhead was all smiles as they arrived at Shamattawa First Nation in early December when the test positivity rate hit 50 per cent.

One of their main jobs was to build emergency isolation centres in the community.

Most of the military personnel were up north for 18 days, returning home on Thursday.